MEDIA ADVISORY 

The San José Police Department's objective is to facilitate a safe environment during the Cinco de Mayo weekend. Historically, San José has drawn large crowds of people who gather in celebration of the holiday. The majority of people who visit Downtown and East San José during Cinco de Mayo are law abiding. However, in past years, the celebration has also historically attracted individuals that have been responsible for various crimes, including vandalism, and sideshows.

In an effort to ensure families and visitors can celebrate safely, the Department is deploying additional personnel and resources to adequately address any public safety issues that may arise. Residents living in the Downtown area, the King Road corridor between McKee Road and Tully Road or Story Road and Jackson Road should expect vehicular and pedestrian traffic delays, and are urged to use alternate routes. In addition, unplanned traffic diversions may be activated in other areas where congestion occurs. Officers may utilize traffic diversions to reduce gridlock along major arterial roadways, and freeway exits that normally feed into congested areas. Traffic diversions not only facilitate the flow of traffic but also reduce the likelihood of disturbances which can escalate into violence. If needed, vehicle/traffic diversions will be activated to include the Downtown area and parts of the Foothill Division (Located in East San José).

Every effort will be made to allow residents residing in or near the area affected by potential road closures the ability to leave and return to their residences without unreasonable delay. Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses will be allowed through diversion points.

Pedestrian diversions are also utilized to prevent congestion and property damage that often results when large groups gather. Again, Officers will make every effort to accommodate residents who live nearby and are simply trying to go home. At times Officers may not be able to safely stop traffic to address specific questions from single vehicles when hundreds of vehicles are clogging an intersection. A patrol Officer's primary responsibility is to keep the neighborhood safe and reduce gridlock traffic so that emergency vehicles have access to all neighborhoods in an emergency.

SJPD has also dedicated additional resources to respond to sideshow activity. Sideshow spectators can be issued citations or arrested, and face fines up to $1,000. Drivers participating in sideshows can expect $3,000-$4,000 in fines and a 30-day impound of their vehicle. Do not participate in these dangerous sideshows; it’s just not worth it.

The San José Police Department asks those who will be visiting Downtown or East San José this weekend to celebrate Cinco de Mayo safely and responsibly.